Heber-Overgaard is located in northeastern Arizona's
Navajo County. Situated in the Sitgreaves National Forest north
of the Mogollon Rim, the elevations of these twin communities range from 6,435 feet in
Heber to 6,620 feet in Overgaard. Both are unincorporated. The
communities are reached from Phoenix by taking state Highway 87 north to Payson,
or from Winslow by taking state Highway 87 south to Payson, then continuing
east via state Highway 260.

During the Mormon migration in 1876 and 1877, the Little
Colorado River settlements were established. James E. Shelley and
Sanford Porter, Jr. founded Heber in 1883. Heber was named after
Heber J. Grant, a prominent member of the Mormon Church. The
post office in Heber was established in 1890 by James E. Shelley.

Overgaard, adjoining Heber, was originally called Oklahoma Flat
and was later named after the first sawmill owner. The post office in
Overgaard was established in 1938.

Principal Economic Activities...

Economic activities are varied; retirement and tourism are an
important part of the economy. Proximity to the Sitgreaves National
Forest provides recreational opportunities, and timber is harvested for
Precision Pine Sawmill and Stone Container Paper Mill. A mulch
plant processes forest by-products.

Service businesses provide
employment and services for the predominant retirement community.
Government and schools also contribute to the local economy.
Retail trade is increasing. Construction is also a major factor in the
area's gradually expanding economy.

Scenic Attractions...

The Heber-Overgaard area is surrounded by many year-round recreational
opportunities and points of scenic interest. Immediately south
of Heber-Overgaard is the Mogollon Rim, a steep escarpment
ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 feet from the base to the highest
plateau. The Rim divides the northern plateau region from the lower
central and southern areas. The Rim offers many exceptional views
and numerous man-made lakes ideal for boating and other water sports.

Hunting for elk, deer, turkey, antelope and bear is permitted.
Fishing, in nearby trout streams, is popular. There are also extensive
picnic and camping facilities available within the area. Other scenic
attractions in the area include Chevelon Canyon Dam, the Canyon
Creek Fish Hatchery, Chevelon Butte, and the Fort Apache Indian
Reservation. The 200-acre Mogollon Lake three miles east of
Overgaard is in the planning stages.

Ed.: If you'd like an idea of what things look like around the area, take a
cyber-stroll thru any one of the Galleries in the RIMages section
of the site. Click the button and enjoy!

POPULATION...

1990

2000

2003

Heber-Overgaard

1,581

2,722

2,898

NAVAJO COUNTY

77,658

97,470

103,790

ARIZONA

3,665,228

5,130,632

5,629,870

Sources: Arizona Department of Economic Security and U.S. Census Bureau.

Heber-Overgaard LABOR FORCE...

1990

2000

2003

Civilian Labor Force

550

685

748

Unemployed

66

55

56

Unemployment Rate

12%

8%

7.5%

Source: Arizona Department of Economic Security, U.S. Bureau of the Census.

GROWTH INDICATORS...

1990

2000

2003

Net AssessedValuation ($)

19,924,988

36,435,162

55,175,858

Source: Arizona Tax Research Foundation

PROPERTY TAX RATE PER $100 ASSESSED VALUATION...

1990

2000

2003

Elementary / High School

$5.26

$5.99

$5.15

City / Fire District

1.02

1.01

1.23

Countywide

2.32

2.90

2.79

Total

$8.60

$9.90

$9.17

Source: Arizona Tax Research Foundation
Note1: School district participates in the Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology (NAVIT)
Note2: Property tax in Arizona is based on assessed valuation which is 10 percent of
market value for residential property. Average tax rate on homes in Arizona
before exemptions and rebates is 1.3% of market value.

Community Facilities...

Heber-Overgaard offers many community facilities including a
library, 40-acre park, and many athletic facilities: baseball, football
and Little League fields; basketball, volleyball, tennis and racquet
ball courts; and a golf course.

COMMUNICATION. In addition to communication resources from the
rest of the state, Heber-Overgaard has a weekly newspaper, The
Pine Graphics Weekly, receives several radio stations from Holbrook,
Show Low and Flagstaff, has 12 television channels available on
cable, and one from Flagstaff. Local internet dial-up services are also
available.

EDUCATIONAL. Heber/Overgaard has two elementary school, junior
high and high school. Student enrollment is approximately 551.
Northland Pioneer College, a state-accredited community college,
serves Navajo County. The college has centers located in Winslow,
Snowflake, Heber and Show Low. The main administrative and service
campus is in Holbrook. Areas of study include occupational programs,
with business, health, home economics and technical trade courses;
and, transfer programs including business, fine arts and social sciences.
Northern Arizona University, in partnership with Northland Pioneer
College, offers undergraduate and graduate programs; for information,
call (928) 367-1152.

MEDICAL. The community has one doctor, a dentist, an optometrist
and three ambulances available. Hospital services are also available
in Show Low (36 miles away), Holbrook (47 miles away) and Payson
(50 miles away). A fully equipped health center is currently in the
planning stages.

FINANCIAL. There are two local financial institutions in
Heber-Overgaard. Navajo County businesses are eligible for assistance
in financing fixed assets through the Finance and
Administration Division of the Arizona Department of Commerce.
Information on private activity bonds within the county may be
obtained from the same source or from the Industrial Development
Authority of the County of Navajo, 819 West Florida, Holbrook,
Arizona 86025.

GOVERNMENTAL. The community is governed by the Navajo County
Board of Supervisors and served by the county deputies, Department
of Public Safety, and the sheriff's posse. The fire department has 40
volunteers, 15 EMTs, three paramedics and five IMETs.

AIRPORT. Residents of Heber-Overgaard have access to public airports
in Show Low 36 miles southeast, or Taylor, 29 miles northeast.

LODGING AND MEETING FACILITIES. There are two motels with 56
units available in the area, and four meeting facilities with the
largest seating up to 300, three with seating for 50 or less. Several
RV parks and cabin rentals are available. The 42-unit Best Western
Sawmill Inn was completed in September 1995.